The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-07-23

| 'Sue Une pOOJleSC creetur i've seen IN
many long year. The young fellers
mashed poorly bad on her. WAL, I've been
young myself, an know how it is. kind
o. think she can do jest any thing she likes
with him. l don't believe thars a man
Twin tibet could say no to her, let alone do
her harm" He dotted his hat, and, with a
curious timidity, took her little hand, prof
fered as she greeted hun, in the firm grasp
of his own large and rough one. Then her
aunt, whose guest she was, came out upon
the piazza and invited Sam Ruxton to sup
| and spend the night at the ranch, instead
OF taking the long ride to his own quarters.
Meantime the two men who had been
approaching from the north had stopped
| and held a consultation close to the out
building in which All Fong was concealed
| Their appearance was sadly against them
One was tall, thin fellow, with sullen
countenance and shaggy black hair; the
| otner smaller man with a freckled face
and red whiskcrs, looking for all the world
like ferret. A precious pair OF rufflans
All Fong thought them, as he strained his
ears to catch the dialogue, thickly inter
larded with profanity, which lasted for five
minutes and Until, having apparently made
| up their minds what to do, they started in
a direction which took them round the cor
ner Of the ranch-house and toward the
| party on the piazza.
| The Chinese boy, when they had passed
his place of concealmcnt, emerged, ran
around the house in the opposite direction
| and approached Uncle Jim before the latter
| saw the pair.
MASTER" whispered he. ''hab got two
| piecee man come. Wantchee stop this side
tonight. More better you talkee he no can
| stop. Mi can secure he blong lallee-loon
| man q can prove that they are ladrones or
| robbers)n .,
"Waal, now" said Uncle JIM II didn't
never hev no use for cuss that wears a
| pig-tail and cats rats. The Chinese must
60 says l. Clear out now and 90 washee-
washecc, or whatever you call it,"
As All Fong well knew, Uncle Jim's bark
was much worse than his bite, nor was
there any fear that he would disregard
warning. The Chinese boy drew back just
| as the two rough fellows came in sight.
They approached the piazza, and one could
see the look of repulsion come on Uncle
Jim's expressive face, as his experienced
eye took in the details of their obnoxious
appearance. The smaller fellow advanced
as spokesman.
81 allow yer disremember me, Mr. Boyle,n
to modulate, and which contrasted curl
ously with his unctuous manner 81 knew
yer when yer was a-snkin' shaft up to
Central, and was prospectin'. Ny name
is Martin. William Martin; but the boys all
call me BeaverDam Bill This yers my
pard, Mr.. Moses Smith, him they call Mus
tang Nose Say, Uncle Jim, we allowed
ye'd give us shake-down fur the night,
fur we've tramped nigh on thirty miles to-
day and we're jest everlastin'ly played out"
Uncle Jim's keen eyes were fixed on the
unwholesome pair; evidently, while he did
not recognize them, some vague and feet
ing memory was suggested by their appear
ance, and he was trying to fix it in his
mind. The larger of the two shifted his
weight from one foot to the other as he
glanced away TO the eastward, and the
spokesman found himself unable to look
the old frontiersman fairly in the face. In
deed, his uneasiness was increasing each
moment under the scrutiny to which he was
subjected.
AT last Uncle Jim spoke, in slow tones.
and with marked elaboration. This we're
house amt nline," said he, land the owner
he's down to Pueblo. Eff We keep on along
the trail thar to the left of the MESA and
nigh on three mile, yen strike Dutch Pete's
ranch, an he's all liked to take folks in and
give em square meal an a shal5e.down
It's right over them trees yonder, whar We
sec" Hero he was interrupted.
Fanny Carroll, who mad been inside the
house, suddenly came out and stood on the
piazza.
80, Mr.. Boyle" she cried, ''do not let any
one be turned away from these doors
These poor men are weary and foot-sore
rThov 1nuSt not ha cd IN M F,rtbo,
Let us give them shelter, and supper and a
good nights rest"
She made a beautiful picture as she stood
there, in graceful attitude; with height
ened color, eyes sparkling, rosy lips slightly
apart. Uncle Jlm's face relaxed in an in
slant, and the effect of this lovely appari-
ton upon the two wanderers was marvel
Gus. Beaver Dam Bill took off his shabby
hat, shufIled with his feet and made an at
tempt to stammer out his thanks: and
Mustang Nose, turning to look at tho OK
quiste young girl, showed his astonish-.
mcnt and interest by u complete change Of
countenance. Mover i'll all his life of vicissi-
tudc, and worse than vicissitude had any
one seen on his face such an expression of
surprise, then of almost wondering delight;
and natural enough, to be sure; for never
in all this same life had he seen such a
sight, much less heard pity for him ex-
pressed in such gentle and dulcet tones.
"Waal," said Uncle jim, ''thet settles it,
allow the young lady's boss. Here, you
pig-tailed Chinaman, show these men a
place where they can wash the dust of
Coloraydo off Of 'em, and give lem some
grub"
All Fong obeyed with curious reluct-
ance, and the two men followed him, more
than once turning to look over their shout
ders.
Then came supper, and some pleasant
evening hours on the piazza, under the
bright stars and in tho soft air. The two
strangers had supped heartily, and now sat
by themselves, at some distance from the
rest of the party. When Fanny Carroll
sang, ir her lovely and well-trained voice,
Mustang Nose took the pipe from his mouth
and let go out rs he held it in his hand
When most Of the inmates Of the house had
retired, Uncle Jim told All Fong to take the
two mon to chamber at the head of n
small stairway leading from the main room
to the ranch. The boy obeyed and then re-
turned - the main room, in which, on the
wide hearth, burned a cheerful fire of logs
He approached the stalwart frontiersman,
who sat before the fire gazing into it's blaz-
ing depths.
Master" said All Fong she t'luly
go